A week on from the Paris terrorist attacks, a week which has seen millions demonstrating on the streets of France and around the world, showing their support for the principle of freedom of speech. It has been a troubling week: on the one hand, the sinking despair as you realise that Islam and the West will continue this confrontation long into the future, with little hope of any peaceful settlement or genuine acceptance of each other's positions. On the other hand, it is inspiring to see the passion with which ordinary people in these secular times hold on to the simple truths of liberty, equality and brotherhood.
Society has to come to terms with a difficult compromise: the right of the individual to hold his own beliefs, free from censure or abuse, while at the same time respecting and tolerating the beliefs of others. And with that comes the right occasionally to offend, and the expectation that occasionally you will be offended.
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